Shloka 28
Karṇa–Sūrya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dāna, and the Amoghā Śakti (कर्ण–सूर्यसंवादः)
शालिप्रसूनसदृशै: शिरीषकुसुमप्रभै: । तरुणादित्यसदृशै: शणगौरैश्व वानरै:,राजन! धानके फूल-जैसे रंगवाले, मौलसिरीके पुष्प-सदृश कान्तिवाले, प्रातःकालके सूर्यके समान अरुण प्रभावाले तथा सनईके समान सफेद रंगवाले वानरोंसे व्याप्त होनेके कारण लंकाकी चहारदीवारी चारों ओर कपिलवर्णकी दिखायी देती थी। स्त्रियों और वृद्धोंसहित समस्त लंकावासी राक्षस चारों ओर आश्वर्यचकित होकर इस दृश्यको देख रहे थे
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca |
śāliprasūnasadṛśaiḥ śirīṣakusumaprabhaiḥ |
taruṇādityasadṛśaiḥ śaṇagauraiś ca vānaraiḥ, rājan |
Disse Mārkaṇḍeya: “Ó rei, as muralhas de Laṅkā pareciam fulvas por todos os lados, pois estavam repletas de macacos—uns da cor das flores novas do arroz, outros radiantes como as flores da árvore śirīṣa, outros rubros como o sol nascente, e outros pálidos como o linho. Vendo esse espetáculo assombroso ao redor, os rākṣasas de Laṅkā—mulheres e anciãos inclusive—ficaram de pé, contemplando maravilhados.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a righteous, disciplined force can become an overwhelming moral and psychological presence: the spectacle of the vānaras surrounding Laṅkā produces awe and destabilizes the confidence of the rākṣasas. It underscores the ethical dimension of conflict in epic narrative—power is not only physical but also the visible momentum of dharma-backed resolve.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Laṅkā’s walls appearing tawny because they are crowded on all sides with vānaras of varied colors and radiance—likened to blossoms, śirīṣa flowers, the rising sun, and flax. The inhabitants of Laṅkā, including women and elders, watch the extraordinary sight in astonishment.